How Long Should A Puppy Eat Puppy Dog Food?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Depending on your puppy’s breed and size, you’ll likely switch to adult dog food between seven and 14 months.

Puppies need the most food when they are around six- to 12-weeks-old

. At this stage, you will need to feed them three times a day. As your puppy gets older, you’ll gradually reduce the feeding to twice a day.

Is it OK to feed a puppy regular dog food?

Feeding Your Puppy: A First-Year Timeline. 6–12 weeks:

Growing pups should be fed puppy food

, a diet specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs for normal development. Feeding adult food will rob your puppy of important nutrients. Four feedings a day are usually adequate to meet nutritional demands.

How long is a dog considered a puppy for food?

This transition is normally a four-to-seven-week stage. After this stage, is when puppies begin the transition to their adult food stage, which is right around the one year mark. As a basic rule, dogs that are

less than one year of age

are considered puppies.

Can puppies eat dry food at 8 weeks?


Usually 8 weeks

. At this point, puppies should have developed a full set of teeth and be able to eat dry food without any additional liquid. As ever, it’s important to reiterate that no two dogs are the same. If you’re nine weeks into your puppy’s transition to dry food, and they’re still on mush, don’t panic.

What happens if I change my dog’s food too fast?

Switching your dog’s food abruptly

can cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, diarrhea, and a decreased appetite

. Any time you decide to change your dog’s food, you should transition to the new diet gradually in order to give your dog’s system time to adjust to the change.

Do you soak puppy food?


It is recommended that puppy food is soaked from the age of 3-4 weeks up to 12 weeks

. However there is no set rule for this, some puppies or even older dogs will always prefer to eat dry food when soaked and it is providing your puppy or dog with more water intake, so certainly nothing wrong with that!

How much should a puppy eat chart?

Weight of Dog 6-12 Weeks 8-12 Months 3 – 5 lbs 1 – 1 1/3 cup 1/2 – 2/3 cups 5 – 10 lbs 1 1/3 – 2 1/2 cups 2/3 – 1 cups 10 – 20 lbs 2 1/2 – 4 cups 1 – 2 cups 20 – 30 lbs 4 – 5 3/4 cups 2 – 2 3/4 cups

At what age can puppies start drinking water?

Puppies can start drinking water when their teeth start growing in (

around 3 to 4 weeks old

). Once a pup’s teeth start growing in they have already got all of the nutrients they needed from their mother’s milk, and they are ready to start eating food and drinking water!

How much food should a 13 week puppy eat?

Ideal Weight of Dog (At Maturity) Weaning-12 Weeks 4-5 Months 3-12 lbs 1/2-1 cup 2/3-1 1/3 cups 13-20 lbs

1/2-1 1/4 cups


1 1/8-2 cups
21-50 lbs 1/2-1 1/2 cups 1 1/2-2 3/4 cups 51-75 lbs 5/8-2 1/3 cups 1 1/2-4 cups

How long do puppies need 3 meals a day?

When you start to offer solid food or when weaning (usually at around two months old) – four to six meals a day. From two to three months – four meals a day.

From four to six months

– two to three meals a day. Over six months – two meals a day (depending on the breed)

How do I know if I’m feeding my puppy enough?

How Much? Puppies need to eat a lot–and not too much.

You should be able to feel but not see their ribs, and they should have a visible waist when you look down at them

. This is true for puppies of any breed, big or small.

What age can puppies have carrots?

Puppies can safely eat carrots from the age of

eight weeks old

. Carrots are perfect for a tasty, healthy snack, but raw carrots are a choking hazard, so it’s best to boil them first!

What human food can 8 week old puppies eat?

Here are some safe human foods your puppy can eat:

Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt

Lean Proteins: Chicken & Beef. Apples Pasta Bread Watermelon Corn Rice Sweet Potatoes Everyone knows that when you’re eating your favorite treats, your dog suddenly does the saddest “I’m so hungry!” face on the […]

Can I give my 8 week old puppy a bath?


It is safe to give your 8-week old puppy a bath

. If he’s not extremely dirty and just needs a gentle wipe down, you can still use a warm washcloth with a very little bit of puppy shampoo or even baking soda and water to help with any puppy odor.

Should I rotate my dogs food?

Which Dog Foods Should You Rotate?

Most veterinary nutritionists and holistic vets recommend rotating different proteins every couple of months for best results

. You can switch proteins between one brand or, better yet, switch proteins within different brands of dog food.

How many times in a day should a dog poop?

A good rule thumb is that dogs should poop

at least once a day

. Some may poop up to five times, others two or three. Anything over five could be worth keeping an eye on.

How do you change a dog’s feeding schedule?

  1. Look up the appropriate daily amount to feed your pet (either on the packaging or on the company’s website)
  2. Divide this amount by two. Offer one portion in the morning and one in the evening.
  3. When it’s mealtime, keep the food bowl down for 15-20 minutes.

Can I feed my puppy only dry food?


It is entirely acceptable to feed your dog a pure kibble diet

. Or you can mix their diet up with some cooked or raw meat, fish, vegetables and rice. Many owners like to feed a raw meat diet to their dogs, and while this can suit some dogs very well, there are some important considerations you need to be aware of.

Should you add water to dog kibble?


Adding water to your dog’s food bowl when feeding a dry kibble will improve the rate of digestion

. Hydrating a dog’s stomach contents is a major assist in digestion by starting the breakdown of food particles.

When can puppies sleep through the night?

Most puppies will sleep through the night by the time they’re

about 4 months (16 weeks) old

. But with some help, diligence, and proactive training, you may be able to get your puppy there even earlier!

Why does my puppy eat like he’s starving?

Dogs (and people, too) need sugar for energy.

If they’re not getting enough, their cells will trick them into thinking they’re still hungry as an instinctual hunt for more sugar

. Hyperthyroidism: While relatively rare in dogs, hyperthyroidism can cause sudden increased appetite.

Can 5 week old puppies go all night without eating?

In summary,

your puppy can survive without eating for up to 5 hours when he is between 4 to 7 weeks

, but we do not recommend your pup waiting this long as they are going through a developmental period. If your puppy is between 6 to 8 weeks old, he can survive without eating for up to 8 hours.

Can a 1 month old puppy eat rice?


As long as he’s maintaining a healthy weight, adding some rice to your dog’s meals is perfectly fine

. When preparing rice for your pup, boil it in water and do not add any seasonings or spices.

When should puppies be dewormed?

Because worms are so common in puppies, vets recommend de-worming them for the first time when they’re

2 to 3 weeks old

. Worms can pass from mother to baby before birth or soon after, through their milk. It will take more than one dose. The first round kills the worms that are there at the time.

Should I give puppy water overnight?


It’s best to remove your puppy’s water bowl at night

. Be consistent with the time you remove water, the same way you’re consistent with feeding times. As a rule of thumb, remove the food and water bowls about two-to-three hours before bedtime.

When can puppies go outside?

When can I take my puppy outside? Vets tend to recommend not taking your puppy into public places until

about a fortnight after your puppy has had its second vaccination, at around 14-16 weeks

. This is because they can easily pick up nasty viruses like parvovirus and distemper.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.